Blake Griffin sidelined from London Olympics with a meniscus tear in the knee – NBA News
The Olympic Dream is over for Blake Griffin.
The Los Angeles Clippers forward has been diagnosed with medial meniscus tear in his left knee, and is likely to undergo arthroscopic surgery next week.
Griffin suffered the injury at the training camp for the U.S Basketball Olympic team, of which he is a part, in Las Vegas. The injury will force him to be sidelined for 8 weeks, which means he will miss the London Olympics, although
he will be ready for action by the time the Clippers training camp starts in October.
“We're relieved that this does not affect Blake's ability to be ready in time for training camp. Missing out on the Olympic experience will be tough for him to take. I know how dedicated he was to doing that. We're glad we can
get this fixed now and take advantage of the available time for him to fully recover,” said Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro after the development.
USA Basketball has confirmed Griffin was feeling pain in his knee during a scrimmage at the training camp. He did not play in the exhibition game against the Dominican Republic, which the USA team won113-59.
The Clippers have said that Griffin will now travel to Los Angeles, where he will undertake an MRI exam.
New Orleans Hornets number 1 Draft pick from this year, Anthony Davis, has been told to report to team USA training camp in Las Vegas. He is expected to take Griffin’s place on the roster, although that cannot happen till Griffin
officially opts out of the team. Anthony was part of the preliminary roster and travelled to Las Vegas for training camp, but did not make the cut. He is one of the six alternatives who can replace a player on the official US roster.
Griffin joins a long list of players who have been sidelined from the Olympic team due to injuries. Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Chris Bosh, LaMarcus Aldridge and Dwyane Wade are all players who were unavailable for the Olympic
squad due to injuries.
With Griffin sidelined as well, team USA will be thin at the front court, with only Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler and Anthony Davis to play the 4 or 5 position. Small forwards LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony might be
played at the number 4 position by the team, it has been learnt, but against the physical teams from Europe, the front court can be a worry.
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